Current Portland Real Estate Market InformationHappy HourPortland Oregon Restaurants October 21, 2016

Portland’s Best (Super Affordable) Happy Hours

 

(Henry Cromett)

photo credit to (Henry Cromett)

 

I love a good night out after work.  Now that we don’t have kids at home, we can do it any night of the week!  Yet I’m always scratching my head trying to decide where to go.  Do you do that?  So annoying to forget the name of that place you wanted to try…..

So here’s a list for you, compliments of the wonderful Willamette Week.

Aalto Lounge
3356 SE Belmont St., 503-235-6041, aaltolounge.com. 5-7 pm daily.

Best deal: The $2 full-sized Belmont Jewel Cocktail—a mix of bourbon, lemon, pomegranate juice, and orange blossom water. It goes great with your $2 grilled cheese sandwich.

Ash Street Saloon
225 SW Ash St., 503-226-0430, ashstreetsaloon.com. 4-8 pm daily.

Best deal: Pabst is $1.25. Dare to get the burger for just $3 more.

Bartini
2108 NW Glisan St., 503-224-7919, bartinipdx.com. 3:30-6:30 pm, 10 pm-close daily; all day Monday. 

The Gorgonzola-brie fondue is the best, and it’s easily shareable. Skip the $6 cheeseburger, but definitely get the $3 mashed potatoes in a martini glass, served with a wedge of brie. Drinks are half-price during happy hour, which is most of the hours Bartini is open. Expect sweetness and possibly a flower or sprig of mint; but at $4 apiece, these drinks seem to say what your best friend would. Treat yourself, girl—you deserve it! SOPHIA JUNE.

B-Side Tavern
632 E Burnside St., 503-233-3113. 4-7 pm daily.

Best deal: $1 tallboys.

Belmont Inn
3357 SE Belmont St., 503-232-1998, belmontsinn.com. Drink specials 11 am-6 pm, food specials 3-6 pm daily.

Best deal: Quesadillas—cheap to make or order. $3 gets you bean and cheese, $5 a loaded Southwestern.

Beulahland
118 NE 28th Ave., 503-235-2794, beulahlandpdx.com. 4-7 pm daily.

Pabst is $2, crafts are $4 and wine is an improbably cheap $4. Combine any of those with 6 wings for 6 bucks and you’re probably ready for the Timbers game to start in the side room. But my favorite item on the menu is a rotation of house pickles for $3. Because pickles.

Conquistador
2045 SE Belmont St., 503-232-3227. 4-7 pm daily.

Best deal: $6.50 happy-hour nachos will feed you and a friend.

Dots Cafe
2521 SE Clinton St., 503-235-0203, dotscafeportland.com. 2-7 pm and 11 pm-1 am Monday-Friday.

Best deal: $3.50 wells, $3.50 select craft brews, $4 nachos.

Dragonwell
735 SW 1st Ave., 503-224-0800, dragonwellbistro.com. 3-6 pm Monday-Friday, 9-10 pm Friday-Saturday.

Best deal: A $3.50 Sapporo draft and an order of the garlic spiced chicken wings work just fine.

The Fixin’ To
8218 N Lombard St., 503-477-4995, thefixinto.com. 2-6 pm Monday-Friday.

Best deal: The Down and Out—Hamm’s and a shot of Old Crow—is $4. A large Rotel and chips, like a nacho you dip yourself, is $5.

Florida Room
435 N Killingsworth St., 503-287-5658. 3-7 pm daily.

Best deal: All is cheap, and at happy hour it’s 50 cents cheaper. Plus, you know, $3 corn dogs and fries.

Imperial
410 SW Broadway, 503-228-7222, imperialpdx.com. 2-6 pm Monday-Friday, 3-6 pm Saturday-Sunday; late night 10-11 pm Sunday-Thursday, 11 pm-midnight Friday-Saturday.

Best deal: $5 Vieux Carré. And then another one. And the $4 liver pâté.

Kelly’s Olympian
426 SW Washington St., 503-228-3669, kellysolympian.com. 4-7 pm daily, 11 pm-1 am Sunday-Thursday.

Best deal: Just get the mac-and-cheese balls. They’re $5.

Little Bird
215 SW 6th Ave., 503-688-5952, littlebirdbistro.com. 2:30-5 pm (6 pm at the bar) Monday-Friday, 10 pm-close daily, all day Sunday.

Best deal: Don’t tell, but that $5 burger is actually a $14 burger in disguise.

Luc Lac
835 SW 2nd Ave., 503-222-0047, luclackitchen.com. 4-7pm daily.

Best deal: The cream cheese wontons, shrimp spring and crispy rolls, and a chicken salad is a four-course dinner for $9, and a $4 Kostritzer Schwarzbier is a rare treat.

M Bar
417 NW 21st Ave., 503-228-6614, facebook.com/mbar.portland. 6-8 pm daily.

[CHEAPEST GOOD WINE]

Best deal: It’s possible to get a decent, well-selected glass of wine for $3 at happy hour. That can be said of…nowhere else.

Maui’s
3508 N Williams Ave., 503-282-1611. 4-7 pm daily.

Best deal: The $2.50 wells are, uh, worth it.

Mi Mero Mole
32 NW 5th Ave., 971-266-8575; mmmtacospdx.com. 2-6 pm Monday-Saturday.

Best deal: Seriously, a $4 margarita with $5 nachos is gringo paradise. MATTHEW KORFHAGE.

Momo
725 SW 10th Ave., 503-478-9600. 3-8 pm daily.

Best deal: $3 wells! Beer is for chumps.

My Father’s Place
523 SE Grand Ave., 503-235-5494, myfathersplacepdx.com. 4-6 pm and 10 pm-midnight Monday-Friday, breakfast special 6-10 am.

Best deal: A stiff gin and tonic and a $2 pulled-pork slider with fries. Only $5 poorer, and the day already feels much different.

NEPO 42
5403 NE 42nd Ave., 503-288-8080, nepo42.com. 3-6 pm daily.

Best deal: The $6 Evinrude Special (Evan Williams Green Label and Old German tallboy), plus the $6 OG Dog (a ginormous frankfurter wrapped in a sturdy potato bun and slathered with jalapeño relish, homemade sauerkraut, and a house mustard itself steamed with Old German). Area dives may offer their own variations for one-third the price, but Wilde had another quip about cynics who know the price of everything and the value of nothing.

Night Light Lounge
2100 SE Clinton St., 731-6500, nightlightlounge.net/home. 2-7 pm Monday-Friday, 3-7 pm Saturday-Sunday, 11 pm-1 am daily.

Best deal: The $6 nachos, which look about a full foot high and are layered hot with guacamole, jalapeños, green and red onion, pico de gallo, sour cream and black olives. Wash it all down with a $1.50 pint of PBR.

North Bar
5008 SE Division St., 503-546-9973, northbarpdx.com. 3-7 pm daily.

Best deal: $1 PBR all day Tuesday, and $5 margaritas every day at happy hour from the bar’s slushie machine.

Paymaster Lounge
1020 NW 17th Ave., 503-943-2780, paymasterlounge.com. 2-6 pm daily.

Best deal: $7 burger and fries, $4 Sauza.

Rae’s Lakeview Lounge
1900 NW 27th Ave., 503-719-6494, raesportland.com. 2-6 pm daily.

Best deal: $1 High Life, $1 Rainier, $1 mimosa, $3 biscuits.

Renner’s Grill
7819 SW Capitol Highway, 503-246-9097, rennersgrill.com. Noon-1 pm power hour, 3-6 pm, midnight-2:30 am daily.

Best deal: The bartender we talked to swears by the $6 triple-drumstick deal. We mostly just swear after drinking too much.

Scandals
1125 SW Stark St., 503-227-5887, scandalspdx.com. 4-8 pm daily and all day Sundays.

Best deal: $1.50 Pabst is cheap anywhere.

Slingshot Lounge
5532 SE Center St., 503-445-6649. 3-7 pm Monday-Friday.

Best deal: $1 pint of Olympia and $3 for so many fries.

Spare Room
830 NE 42nd Ave., 503-287-5800, spareroomrestaurantandlounge.com. 3-6 pm daily.

Best deal: Come on Tuesday at 5 pm, and get meatloaf and a PBR for $6.25 total.

Star Bar
639 SE Morrison St., 503-232-5553, star-bar-rocks.com. 4-8 pm daily.

Best deal: Tot’chos and a pint of Pabst, together at last for a mere $6.

Swift Lounge
1932 NE Broadway, 503-288-3333, swiftloungepdx.com. 4-8 pm Monday-Saturday, 4 pm-2 am Sunday.

Best deal: The Old Couple, a tallboy of Old German with a shot of Old Crow for $4.

Tapalaya
28 NE 28th Ave., 503-232-6652, tapalaya.com. 4-6 pm daily.

Best deal: $6 wings, $3 martinis.

Yamhill Pub
223 SW Yamhill St., 503-295-6613. 10 am-4 pm, 4-7 pm Monday-Friday.

Best deal: A pint of Pabst and a quaff of cheap whiskey for $3 total.

 

CHEERS!

Cary Perkins,
Windermere Top Producer
Fun With Real Estate
Current Portland Oregon Real Estate Information,
Highlights of Portland Oregon, House Ideas
Portland Oregon Homes

by Cary Perkins

Portland Real Estate, Portland Oregon Top Producer, Windermere Top Producer, Portland Realtor, Portland Homes for Sale

Windermere Top Producer Cary Perkin

cary perkinsCurrent Portland Real Estate Market InformationMovingMoving to PortlandORPearl DistrictPortland OregonPortland Oregon RestaurantsRestaurantsThings to do in Portland OR September 7, 2016

A 7-Day Itinerary for the PDX Newbie

 

This article by Wannabe Portlandy (http://www.wannabeportlandy.com), offers some great suggestions for showing your friends & family around our fabulous city of Portland.

 

Downtown Portland – Broadway 

Every year, I get requests from friends and followers to create Portland itineraries for them. This is something that I enjoy doing and I go the extra mile of even making detailed presentations for friends. Each traveler is different and so I make it a point to tailor fit the itineraries that I make for each individual personality and preference. 

I recently crafted a personalized 7-Day itinerary for three of my friends and three of their kids. I am sharing the itinerary here because it might help you plan your trip to Portland too. 

But first, a little bit of perspective on why I made this itinerary the way it is. First of all, my friends are world-travelers. They have been around Asia, Europe, and North America. So I wanted to suggest places that are more unique to PDX. For instance, I intentionally did not suggest for them to eat in any Asian restaurants even if this is popular in Portland. Most of my foodie suggestions are focused on good American food. Secondly, my friends were traveling with kids that are 5-years old and below. So most of the places that I have suggested are kid-friendly and places that won't require waiting in line for more than an hour. 

So here it goes!

Day 1 (SUNDAY) – Welcome to Portland! 
 

Screen Door 

10:30AM – I immediately had my friends go to Olympia Provisions for brunch. Don't forget to order the Steak Eggs Benedict here. Advanced reservations is a must! 

2:00PM – After brunch, I had my friends take the Best of Portland Walking Tour. This is a great crash course on what makes Portland, Portland. This tour will take you around downtown Portland's key highlights for 2 hours. Advanced reservations is a must! 

5:30PM – Screen Door is a PDX foodie hall-of-famer so go here for dinner and make sure to order the buttermilk fried chicken. Tip: Screendoor opens at 5:30PM for dinner. Try to arrive at least 15 minutes earlier or else you'll end up waiting in line for a much longer time. 

Day 2 (MONDAY) – Foodie Day Part 1 

 

Guero 

9:00AM – Have breakfast at Tasty 'n Sons. Make sure to order the Potato Doughut, Meatloaf Cheddar & Biscuits, Auntie Paula's French Toast, and Salmon Hash. Tip: This is a popular restaurant so try to go at least 15  minutes in advanced to line-up. Otherwise, you'll end up waiting for an hour. 

10:00AM – Tasty 'n Sons is in a great quintessential Portland neighborhood called N. Williams so just walk around the area and enjoy the different stores. 

11:00AM – Today is an immersion into the amazing PDX food scene so be ready to taste a lot. Have one of the best ice creams you'll ever taste in your life at Salt & Straw. 

12:00NN – Portland is all about the food trucks. Head on over to Guero and order the No. 3 Torta. 

2:00PM – A second snack is in order. Head on over to Pip's for some seriously amazing doughnuts. Don't forget to get the Bacon & Maple Doughnut and Matcha Tea. Tip: Pip's closes at 4PM so make sure to go before then. 

4:00PM – You might  be having a bit of a food coma at this point so walk it off and head on over to the Tilikum Bridge to do some brisk walking. 

7:00PM – Portland is NOT about snooty fine dining. Instead, PDX is into laid back casual dining that is all about the good food. Have dinner at Le Pigeon and make sure to order the burger–it's consistently ranked as one of the best in the city. Reservation is a must! 

Day 3 (TUESDAY) – The Best of Both Worlds 

 

Multnomah Falls 

10:00AM – The best part about Portland is how close it is to enjoy some natural wonders. Head on over to the Multnomah Falls and enjoy the scenery. 

12:00NN – Have lunch at the Timberline Lodge and don't forget to order their 5-time awarded Clam Chowder. And after lunch, enjoy Mt. Hood  for all of its majestic glory. 

4:00PM – In Portland, you can be outside the city and enjoying nature one minute, then having fun downtown the next. Go to Union Way in front of Ace Hotel to do some window shopping. 

6:00PM – Have dinner at Hot Lips Pizza at the Eco Trust Building. Note: Other blogs and websites will recommend other pizza places. But I specifically took my friends here because Hot Lips Pizza's concept is much more unique to Portland given its focus on Fresh, Local, Organic, Seasonal, and Sustainable ever-changing menus. 

Day 4 (WEDNESDAY) – Foodie Day Part 2 

 

The Waffle Window

8:30AM – 10:00AM – Portland is the #1 food city in America so naturally, this trip needs more than one day of pigging out. For breakfast, get waffles at The Waffle Window and a sandwich from Fried Egg I'm in Love. 

11:00AM – Get some coffee from Stumptown and donuts from Blue Star 

 

Stumptown

1:00PM – Go downtown and hit up the Food Pods 

3:00PM – A second cup of coffee is in order. Head on over to Coava. Tip: Coava is near two buildings called Rejuvenationand Grand Marketplace. Walk off the carbs and do some window shopping here. 

4:00PM – Have dinner & drinks at Multomah Whiskey Library. NOTE: Leave the kids at one of PDX's awesome day care areas such as PDX Play Date. 

Day 5 (THURSDAY) – Wine & Beer Day

 

Rogue Farms 

9:00AM – Today is all about wine and beer tasting. But first, have breakfast at Gravy and don't forget to order the Corned Beef Hash.

11:00AM – Do the Wine Tasting at Stoller Winery. NOTE: Not everyone can spend the day hitting up several wineries. And if you could only go to one, I recommend Stoller Winery because their concept is unique to Oregon. 

12:00NN – Have lunch at Red Hill's Market

3:00PM – Visit Rogue Farms and do some beer tasting 

6:00PM – Have dinner at Burgerville 

Day 6 (FRIDAY) – Seasonal Activities 

 

Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm

9:00AM – Portland has four seasons so the places that you can see and do are dependent on which month of the year you are planning to visit. Since my friends went during Spring, I had them go to the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival. 

12:00NN – Head back to the city and have lunch at Old Salt Marketplace 

3:00PM – Drop by Powell's Bookstore to buy some souvenir and just get lost in the thousands of books on display

5:00PM – It's almost time to say good-bye to the city so head on over to Pittock Mansion and go straight to the garden area to enjoy an amazing city view 

7:00PM – Our friends requested to have dinner at Hot Lips Pizza (that's how much they loved that place). But go and try another dinner place such as Ned Ludd. 

Day 7 (SATURDAY) – The trip is over so cap it off with a trip to the Portland Saturday Market 

 

Portland Saturday Market

 

cary perkinsMoving to PortlandPortland OregonRestaurantsThings to do in Portland OR August 3, 2016

Blue Star Donuts to Open at PDX Airport

 

The Portland Airport is about to get a little sweeter with one of my favorite foods….donuts!

 

Screen Shot 2016-08-03 at 4.06.50 PM

 

Article courtesy of Kelly Clarke, Portland Monthly

Tourists bustling through the Portland International Airport will have to make room for boxes of hard cider fritters and Cointreau crème brulee rounds atop their carry-on bags:  local doughnut empire Blue Star Donuts just inked a deal to open a PDX location by November of this year.  The outpost, which joins a superstar list of local businesses with airport spots, from Country Cat to Stumptown Coffee, will be located in the Oregon Market area, before travelers reach the security gate.

“I’m absolutely thrilled,” says Blue Star CEO/owner Katie Poppe, who launched the chain with biz partner Micah Camden. “The Port is working really hard to create this mini Portland utopia and we’re honored to be part of that.” The new airport shop will stock grab-and-go half- and baker’s dozen boxes of its brioche-style doughnuts, fresh-glazed single rounds, and Coava Coffee Roaster’s “Blue Star Blend” drip and packaged coffee.

The expansionist-minded local chain currently boasts four Portland outposts, an L.A. shop, and a pair of locations on Tokyo. (Psst: Blue Star is slated to open five more locations in Japan come September—three in Osaka and two more in Tokyo.)

What Blue Star creation must visitors cart back to their hometowns?

“It’s gotta be the blueberry bourbon basil doughnut,” says Poppe, referencing the buzzed-about flavor that made cover of Bon Appétit magazine in May. “If it’s gonna be your first, it might as well be a cover model.” 

 

cary perkinskitchen ideasPortland OregonPortland Oregon RestaurantsRestaurantsThings to do in Portland OR March 2, 2016

Providore Fine Foods – Now Open!

 

Another fabulous food adventure for Portlandia! 

 

Screen Shot 2016-02-24 at 11.59.53 AM

Located at 2340 NE Sandy, Providore Fine Foods opened early February, and in addition to letting you shop for groceries with a glass of wine or beer in-hand, it offers many onsite dining options. Here's what to eat at the new Providore Fine Foods:

Screen Shot 2016-02-24 at 12.02.02 PM

 Flying Fish Oyster Bar

12 to 7:30 p.m. daily

www.flyingfishcompany.com

For years, the sustainably minded Flying Fish Company has operated out of its mobile fish truck and Hawthorne fish shack, and at Providore Fine Foods, it sells local seafood and operates an 8-seat oyster bar, with standing room at a bar along the window, too. Made of Oregon cherry wood, the bar is tucked in the rear of the store and will offer:

  • three types of oysters served raw daily. Netarts bay oysters, delivered to Flying Fish the same day they are harvested by Nevor Shellfish, start at $2.
  • hot Flying Fish Company smoked salmon served on a cedar plank
  • two daily soups (one seafood, one meat)
  • bone broth
  • one red, one white, and one sparkling wine
  • bottled and canned microbrews and one cider

Image credit: Dina Avila/EPDX

Screen Shot 2016-02-24 at 12.02.20 PM

Arrosto

11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily (tentative)

 www.providorefinefoods.com

After discovering Italy's rotisserie chicken with their noses on a trip on the Italian Riviera, Providore Fine Foods and Pastaworks co-owners Kevin de Garmo and Kaie Wellman knew they needed to open a Mediterranean-style rotisserie chicken shack. Arrosto, scheduled to open at Providore Fine Foods by the end of the week, sells its chickens and sides through a window onto the street.

 You can either take your order home or dig in in the Providore's seating area. Located at the front of the marketplace, the seating area seats around 20, either at two large communal tables or at a bar along the window. Come summer, the garage doors will roll up and the tables will spill out onto the patio.

  • Whole, half, and quarter rotisserie chickens. De Garmo says he prefers not to use a brine. "A brine is nice for breast meat, but it can make the rest of the bird soggy." Arrosto salt its chickens; stuffs them with rosemary; and brushes them with rosemary olive oil while cooking.
  • Every chicken comes with "crispy fat" roasted potatoes and a salad of wild baby arugula, escarole, and radicchio tossed with pecorino, croutons, and dressing.

Image credit: Dina Avila/EPDX

Screen Shot 2016-02-24 at 12.03.17 PM

Little T Baker

9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. daily

 www.littletbaker.com

With two additional bakery locations in Portland, the local Little T Baker will focus on the following:

  • baguettes, salt slabs, and other breads
  • croissants, danishes, and other pastries—breakfast or otherwise
  • Chocolate chip cookies featuring Woodblock Chocolate and other cookies

Image credit: Dina Avila/EPDX

Screen Shot 2016-02-24 at 12.02.54 PM

Pastaworks

9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. daily

 www.pastaworks.com
 

Pastaworks has always sold ready-to-eat items, but it's bringing lots of new ideas, including decadent chocolate and hazelnut Baci cookies and a line of foccaccias that now come with optional toppings, like prosciutto. It also hired executive chef Derek McCarthy (Firehouse, Pig & Pie), sous chef Jeff Ciuffetelli (Taylor Railworks, Clyde Common), and baker Abby Ward(Serrato, Tin Shed). 

Image credit: Dina Avila/EPDX

Screen Shot 2016-02-24 at 12.05.15 PM

Rubinette Produce Market

9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. daily

www.rubinetteproduce.com

"We'll be the first to deliver local strawberries each year," says owner Josh Alsberg, who hopes to offer both farmers market-level produce and regular hours. To do it, he's enlisted farmers who are willing to grow special produce just for him. The fresh produce options are extensive, but here are some highlights:

  • lesser-known varieties of fruits and vegetables, from avocados to grapefruits
  • vegetables you simply aren't likely to find elsewhere, like burdock root, celeriac, and kale sprouts

 

 

 

Cary Perkins,
Windermere Top Producer
Fun With Real Estate
Current Portland Oregon Real Estate Information,
Highlights of Portland Oregon, House Ideas
Portland Oregon Homes

by Cary Perkins

Portland Real Estate, Portland Oregon Top Producer, Windermere Top Producer, Portland Realtor, Portland Homes for Sale

 

Windermere Top Producer Cary Perkin

 

 

cary perkinsPortland OregonPortland Oregon Restaurants February 7, 2016

New face on an old friend, Besaw’s

    IMG_0868

After a brief time spent looking for a new home, Besaw's really landed on their feet, and only a couple of blocks away from their old home on NW 23rd.  What a gorgeous space!  Stunning wallpaper, mini-tile pillars, and tons of natural light – welcome to the new Slabtown's best new restaurant.

Once they finally opened, I knew the buzz would make it next to impossible to get in for breakfast.  Thanks to opentable.com I was able to score a nice reservation for our breakfast networking group last Friday. 

We tried the liege-style waffles with basil cream and glazed apples, (you get to choose your garnishes from a fun selection) the farmer's hash with brussel sprouts, potatoes, cheddar and escarole, plus a fabulous scratch biscuit, and the rey-rey's chile relleno burrito, with tasty house-made mole.  The coffee kept coming, and we only wished we weren't working, because the full-service bar looked tempting with its innovative cocktails for day drinking!

Everything was delicious, the coffee refilling was non-stop, and the atmosphere was sparkly!  The service is still working out kinks but hoopefully it'll calm down once the newness wears off.  Give this place a try!  Now that reservations are an option, there's no reason not to! 

IMG_0866

 

IMG_0867

 

1545 NW 21st Avenue, Portland 97209

 RESERVATIONS via opentable.com or contact@besaws.com 228-2619 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cary Perkins,
Windermere Top Producer
Fun With Real Estate
Current Portland Oregon Real Estate Information,
Highlights of Portland Oregon, House Ideas
Portland Oregon Homes

by Cary Perkins

Portland Real Estate, Portland Oregon Top Producer, Windermere Top Producer, Portland Realtor, Portland Homes for Sale

 

Windermere Top Producer Cary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Moving to PortlandPortland Oregon RestaurantsRestaurantsWindermere Top Producer Cary Perkins January 20, 2016

Restaurant review – Tastebud

Tastebud
 
 
We recently met friends in Multnomah Village for pizza – we'd heard a lot about Tastebud & love wood fired pizza, so we gave it a whirl. They don't take reservations, but there are a lot of nearby bars to grab a drink while you wait, and Tastebud will call your cell when your table is ready, so we had a martini at Renner while we waited.
 
The service was quick, they had a nice choice of beers, and the pizzas we tried were dynamite. 
Tastebud pizza
We ordered the Yoder, which had lamb sausage, jalapenos, fresh mozzarella and parsley.  The Nausicaa had pork sausage, olives, mozzarella & fennel.  Both were extremely good and two pizzas fed four hungry people perfectly.
 
Tastebud pizza
 
 
This isn't just a pizza place, though, so don't hesitate to try the fish, chicken or chops!  Everything they make comes from this beautiful oven!  Dinner Menu
 
I'm super happy to not have to cross a bridge for really good wood-fired pizza!  Once in a while you like to just roll down the hill to dinner.  We love you, Tastebud.
 
7783 SW Capitol Hwy. Portland, OR 97219
503.234.0330  •   restaurant@tastebudpdx.com
 
 
Cary Perkins,
Windermere Top Producer
Fun With Real Estate
Current Portland Oregon Real Estate Information,
Highlights of Portland Oregon, House Ideas
Portland Oregon Homes

by Cary Perkins

Portland Real Estate, Portland Oregon Top Producer, Windermere Top Producer, Portland Realtor, Portland Homes for Sale

 

Windermere Top Producer Cary Perkin

Current Portland Real Estate Market InformationHouse IdeasPortland OregonThings to do in Portland OR December 2, 2015

2015 Holiday Events, Sports, New Movies & Shopping

Portland Holiday Ale Festival
December 2-6, 2015
Pioneer Courthouse Square

Beaverton Tree Lighting
& Holiday Open House

December 4, 2015
4:30-6:30pm
Beaverton City Library

America's Largest Christmas Bazaar
December 4-6, 2015
Portland EXPO Center

Portland Christmas Ships Parade
December 4-20, 2015
Various Locations

2015 Portland Spirit
Cinnamon Bear Cruise

Various Dates & Times

EastBurn 2015 Ciderfest
December 5, 2015
4:00pm
EastBurn

PDX Urban Wine Tour
December 5, 2015
11:00am
Pick Up/Drop Off: EastBurn

Pacifica Annual Holiday
Warehouse Sale

December 5-6, 2015
3135 NW Industrial Street

Hip Chicks Holiday Market
December 5-6, 2015
Noon-5:00pm
Hip Chicks do Wine, Portland

Sleigh Rides on the Water
December 7-20, 2015
Caruthers Landing

Billy Gibbons and The BFG's
December 11, 2015
Doors at 7:00pm
Revolution Hall

The Great Figgy Pudding
Caroling Competition

December 11, 2015
5:30pm
Pioneer Courthouse Square

A Bubbly Spectacular
December 13, 2015
4:00-7:00pm
Pix Patisserie

2015 Holiday Concert Series
w/ Aaron Meyer
December 17-19, 2015

FestiBUS
December 15-23, 2015
7:00pm
$50 / 21+
Portland

Weekend Tea
Dec. 16, 2015 – Jan.1, 2015
2:00 & 3:00pm
Pix Patisserie

Stumptown SantaCon 2015
December 19, 2015
FREE
Tom McCall Waterfront Park

Bulletproof Stockings
December 27, 2015
7:00pm
Aladdin Theater

New Year's Eve Governor's Ball
December 31, 2015
7:00pm
The Sentinel Hotel

Brew Year's Eve
December 31, 2015
7:00pm
Aladdin Theater

Resolution 2016
December 31, 2015
6:30pm-1:30am
WaMu Theater

InspireTruth New Year's
Eve Celebration

December 31, 2015
Portland Art Museum

 

PORTLAND
PSU Farmers Market
Saturdays Year-round
8:30am-2:00pm
1717 SW Park Avenue

TROUTDALE
Open Air Market
Saturdays Year-round
10:00am-2:00pm
531 E. Columbia River Hw

 

Friday, December 4th
Krampus
Life
The Letters

Friday, December 11th
In the Heart of the Sea
Bleeding Heart

Friday, December 18th
Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Sisters
Carol
Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip

Friday, December 25th
Concussion
Daddy's Home
Joy
Point Break
The Hateful Eight

Pollard Ranch
Quail Creek Ranch
Zenger Farm
Portland Brewing
Grand Central Bowling Lounge
Hiking in Portland
Crown Point
Glendoveer Golf Course
Oregon Museum of Science
and Industry

Oregon Historical Society
Blue Lake Regional Park
Portland Japanese Garden
Oaks Amusement Park
Oregon Zoo
Lan Su Chinese Garden
Pittock Mansion
Washington Park
Oregon Convention Center
Waterfront Park
Portland Institute for Contemporary Art
The Forest Park Conservancy
Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden
Portland Children's Museum
Bonneville Dam
Pioneer Courthouse
Portland Art Museum
Wahclella Falls
Hollywood Theatre
Museum of Contemporary Craft
Blue Sky Gallery

 

Button Up Your Home:
Winterizing Solutions

Baby It's Cold Outside!

As the seasons change and your family migrates indoors for the winter, a lot of energy can be wasted to keep your home comfortable. Between 40 and 70% of all home energy is wasted, but we could save about half of that by buying efficient appliances and taking energy-saving measures.

The 10 Biggest Energy Users:

  • Water Heaters
  • Refrigerators
  • Freezers
  • Air Conditioners
  • Ranges
  • Clothes Washers
  • Clothes Dryers
  • Dishwashers
  • Portable Heaters
  • Lights

And here are some inexpensive solutions to consider:

  • Cover your air conditioner: If you can’t remove your window unit, consider covering it both inside and out. Besides protecting your air-conditioning unit, these covers also help keep cold air from entering your home through the space around the air-conditioner and can be a great way to lower utility bills.
  • Caulk it: Small spaces and gaps around windows and pipes and wires entering the home create create energy wasting drafts that can cut the efficiency of your heating system. Most caulking products cost under $10; rope caulk, one of the easiest types to apply, sells for about $4 for 40 or 50 feet.
  • Block drafts: Draft blockers are foam plates that fit behind light switches and electrical outlets to reduce drafts that enter through those spaces. You can get a packet of 10 for about $3 and they're easy to install with just a screwdriver.
  • Install heat reflectors: These are thin sheets that fit behind radiators, to reflect heat away from the wall and into the room, thereby maximizing each radiator’s energy efficiency.
  • Perform regular maintenance: If you have a forced air furnace, make sure to clean or change the furnace filter about once a month. Most furnaces will need to be professionally cleaned and tuned once a year.
  • Upgrade your thermostat: Changing your thermostat to a programmable one allows you to control the temperature in your home at different times of the day without you being home. Keep the heat off when you're out of the house and set it to turn back up before you get home. Some also have a second set of settings for weekends, when people usually spend more time at home. The thermostats range from $90 to $175, but can save 12% or more on your energy bill and pay for itself within three years.
  • Reflective Window Film: Place these thin, plastic sheets directly on the inside of window panes and glass doors. The film reflects inside heat back into your home, reducing the amount that is conducted outside through windows. The film costs about $10 a window and is easy to put on – it adheres to the window directly, or with the help of water from a spray bottle.
  • Storm Window Kits: It can be expensive to have storm windows installed throughout your house, but there is a less-expensive way to weatherproof home windows. Storm window kits consist of plastic film or sheets to cover the window. Attaching the plastic is done with tape or tacks. Prices range from about $3 to $10 per window.
  • Weatherstripping: Create a tight seal around all your windows to reduce heated and cooled air from escaping outside. Weatherstrips are plastic, foam, felt or rubber strips that fit around window and door frames with a self-adhesive backing. Prices vary, but average about $5 per window or door.

 

Portland Basketball
Portland Hockey
Portland Soccer
Portland Arena Football
COLLEGE
Portland State Vikings
Oregon State Beavers
University of Oregon Ducks

 
 
 
Thanks to Chicago Title for the fab list!
 
Cary Perkins,
Windermere Top Producer
Fun With Real Estate
Current Portland Oregon Real Estate Information,
Highlights of Portland Oregon, House Ideas
Portland Oregon Homes

by Cary Perkins

Portland Real Estate, Portland Oregon Top Producer, Windermere Top Producer, Portland Realtor, Portland Homes for Sale

 

Windermere Top Producer Cary Perkin

 
Current Portland Real Estate Market InformationMoving to PortlandPortland OregonPortland Oregon Restaurants October 7, 2015

Best New Portland Restaurants October 2015

New Restaurants of note in Portland …

 

The St. Jack spin-off La Moule; (look at the wallpaper!) 2100 SE Clinton

The new restaurant from former Little Bird executive chef Erik Van Kley, Taylor Railworks;

and The Zipper, a buzzing complex of micro-eateries.

The Oregonian says, "Dubbed "The Zipper," the former used car lot will be home to four micro-restaurants, a TBD bar, a "punk rock" nail salon, coffee shop and common dining room for more than 60 people by mid-March. During the warmer months, the dining area will open onto an outdoor patio with fire pits, bike parking and more. 

Tenants for the space include Rua, the Vietnamese food cart in downtown Portland; Slice Pizza Company, a New York-style pizza restaurant from Randy Swerdlick, the former owner of Manhattan Pizza Co.; a to-be-named Middle Eastern food cart going brick and mortar; Bywater Grocery, a New Orleans-style sandwich shop serving a menu of overstuffed po-boys and cooked-to-order fried seafood; Seven Virtues Coffee Roasters, offering a menu of espresso drinks and grab-n-go breakfast options; and BANG!, a "Bishops meets CBGBs" nail salon. "

Shift Drinks - Portland, OR, United States

I'm super interested in Shift Drinks  (a professional drinking establishment) at 1200 SW Morrison –  There's a "nerdy" wine list, craft cocktails, and refined snacks from chef Anne Garcia.

and

Bit House Saloon – Its historic architecture and veteran staff crossed with cutting-edge mixology and booze-sourcing know-how represents a new era in Portland: that of the gourmet gastropub.  Swooning over the ancient brick, cozy booths and the thought of a formidable burger followed by an adult version of the Otter Pop.

Happy Dining!  I know where I'll be meeting my clients and friends for our next night out!

 

Please enjoy the original article by PDX Eater here.

 

Cary Perkins,
Windermere Top Producer
Fun With Real Estate
Current Portland Oregon Real Estate Information,
Highlights of Portland Oregon, House Ideas
Portland Oregon Homes

by Cary Perkins

Portland Real Estate, Portland Oregon Top Producer, Windermere Top Producer, Portland Realtor, Portland Homes for Sale

 

Windermere Top Producer Cary Perkin

cary perkinsCurrent Portland Real Estate Market InformationMoving to PortlandORPortland OregonThings to do in Portland OR January 22, 2015

Portland’s 10 Best Shopping Destinations

Windermere Top Producer Cary Perkins

 

I'm so used to my usual haunts that I sometimes forget to shop in some of Portland's most unique, fun areas.  Thankfully, I have a visitor today who's an experienced shopper and would love to avoid the mainstream shops & concentrate on Portlandia.

I did a tiny bit of research before deciding on my finalists (I'll let her choose) but here is a super fun list of ideas for you next time your shopping buddies come to town!

May the shopping gods be with you!

 

List Courtesy of USA Today

Photo courtesy of Northwest 23rd District — Nob Hill

 

 

Cary Perkins,
Windermere Top Producer
Fun With Real Estate
Current Portland Oregon Real Estate Information,
Highlights of Portland Oregon, House Ideas
Portland Oregon Homes

by Cary Perkins

Portland Real Estate, Portland Oregon Top Producer, Windermere Top Producer, Portland Realtor, Portland Homes for Sale

 

 

 

Portland Oregon RestaurantsThings to do in Portland OR December 8, 2014

Ten downtown Portland spots to grab a bite while holiday shopping

 
 
It's that time of year when we like being downtown & feeling festive!  When you're worn out from carrying all those shopping bags, it's time for refreshments!  What sounds fun?  How about the ten restaurants below?  Happy Shopping!
Article courtesy of Oregonlive MIX
 
 
Dining_downtown_lead.jpg
 

We come for the shopping and tree-lighting. For the festive twinkly lights and pictures with Santa. We come for the concerts and plays and window displays, and to give our visiting guests a night on the town. During the month of December, it seems like the entire population of the metro area converges on downtown Portland and at some point we all ask ourselves … where should we go to eat? When your feet are sore, or the play is about to start, it's easy to succumb to mediocre chains just steps from the action, but we don't believe in wasting a single meal on food that doesn't make us happy. So we pounded the pavement for you, finding 10 great local places that are open both Saturday and Sunday (no easy task) and offer plenty of options, whether you're looking to fuel up before a day of shopping or wind down after a show.

View >10 spots in downtown Portland to grab a bite while holiday shopping in a larger map

1) Zeus Cafe
Think McMenamins and food, and you'll probably picture pub grub. But Zeus Cafe, the new restaurant in the Crystal Hotel, aims to broaden that perception. The day starts at 7 a.m. with dishes like wood-baked eggs with parmesan creme fraiche, truffle oil and toast, and ends with a late-night menu that runs into the wee hours, offering up mini water- buffalo burgers on brioche buns, and fried chickpeas with smoked paprika. Clearly we're not in tater tot land anymore. Entrees can be inconsistent, but the plump mussels swimming in a broth stocked with Olympic Provisions chorizo are just fine. As are the crisp, wood-fired pizzas topped with, say, San Marzano tomatoes, mozzarella and arugula. And if you're hankering for a drink, Zeus Cafe has a legitimate bar program, with original cocktails that trend toward sweet (the Flossy Mule, for example, adds lavender syrup to the vodka, lime and ginger beer in a traditional Moscow Mule). And the pink, bitters-infused spheres of ice are a sight to behold. — MICHAEL RUSSELL
303 S.W. 12th Ave., 503-384-2500; mcmenamins.com
Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily.

2) Kenny & Zuke's Delicatessen
Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner all day, Kenny & Zuke's is there for you, whenever your pastrami craving strikes. The bustling Jewish deli makes pretty much everything in house, from its applesauce and kugel to its bialys and rye bread. But it's the wet-cured, slow-smoked, coriander-and-pepper-spiced pastrami that has earned the deli national attention, and rightfully so. You can order it in a Benedict at breakfast, piled onto a burger or cheese fries at lunch and, of course, in the classic and stellar Reuben. Grilled and stacked with pastrami (or corned beef if you would rather), melty Swiss cheese, house-pickled sauerkraut and homemade Russian dressing, it's nothing short of sinful. Same goes for the behemoth, double-decker, multi-meat Meshugaletta Sandwich. In fact, you might want to hit Kenny & Zuke's when you are done with your day, because after eating sandwiches like these, the only thing you are going to want to do is take a well-deserved nap. — JENNIFER COSSEY
1038 S.W. Stark St., 503-222-3354; kennyandzukes.com
Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Happy hour Monday-Friday.

3) Violetta
Nothing warms cold hands like a thick, hot burger dripping with special sauce. Billed as "slow food, fast," Violetta serves up near-perfect burgers with a local twist (beef from Scio, bacon from Carlton, onions from Brooks … you get the idea), plus five kinds of hand-cut fries, including sweet potato and chili cheese. To wash it all down, there's a solid selection of craft beers, shakes and small-batch sodas. But you don't have to be in the mood for a gut-busting lunch or dinner to dine here. Stop by the cafe in Director's Park to warm up and refuel with soup or salad, or get your sugar buzz going with a bag of fried-to-order beignets, hot apple pie from Random Order, and Holy Kakow hot chocolate. — HANNA NEUSCHWANDER 
Violetta in Director's Park, 887 S.W. Taylor St., violettapdx.com.
Lunch and dinner daily.

4) Mother's Bistro
In this Victorian dining room of a bistro, you can hang your hat and savor the best food your mother never had time to make — rich and creamy mac-and-cheese, fresh pear and huckleberry cobbler with the flakiest golden-brown crust — all made from scratch. The day begins with rib-sticking breakfast dishes like biscuits and gravy or wild salmon hash, followed by hearty lunch and dinner classics like savory pot roast made with local beef. Benny's Chicken Sandwich is a lunchtime must — a full breast of juicy, free-range chicken smothered with spicy aioli and melted cheddar cheese topped with fresh avocado. Just looking for a little pick-me-up? Stop in to relax with a cup of frothy hot cocoa and a homemade cookie or slice of pie. Mother would approve. — AMANDA ECKERSON
212 S.W. Stark St., 503-464-1122; mothersbistro.com
Breakfast, lunch and dinner Tuesday-Saturday, no dinner Sunday, closed Monday

5) The Original
When it first opened, the menu at this modern diner was riddled with ill-conceived gimmicks (like the doughnut hamburger). Thankfully the gimmickry is mostly gone, leaving downtown shoppers with a solid and crowd-pleasing place to grab a bite for breakfast, lunch or dinner. With its vinyl, '50s-style booths and postmodern art mobiles, the decor juxtaposes vintage and chic as the menu does savory and sweet. The upshot? There's something for everyone — from adventurous eaters to picky kids. Original concoctions like pancakes drizzled in blueberry jam and peanut butter sauce or crunchy cornmeal-bacon waffles are just a few of the oddly delicious choices at breakfast. At lunch and dinner, juicy burgers with shallot aioli and hearty classics like chicken potpie take the spotlight. Everything goes best with one of the homemade sodas (try the ginger-mint) and a savory serving of poutine: gravy-drenched french fries and cheese curds that are one of the best things to hit your belly after a spirited night on the town. Thankfully, they're served until 4 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. — AMANDA ECKERSON 
300 S.W. Sixth Ave., 503-546-2666; originaldinerant.com
Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Happy hour Monday-Friday. Late night menu Friday-Saturday until 4 a.m.

brasserie_montmartre.jpg

6) Brasserie Montmartre
A Francophile oasis, Brasserie Montmartre offers a calming respite from the bustle of downtown. Under the direction of chef Pascal Chureau, the lunch and dinner menu teems with well-executed French classics like gruyere-topped onion soup, croque monsieur and quiche. But there are a few surprises, too, like a croissant filled with rich lobster salad and avocado coulis, or crepes stuffed with braised pork belly, chevre and arugula. On weekends, brunch-goers can choose from three different Benedicts, as well as Frenchy belly-fillers like duck confit hash. During the lengthy happy hour (from 2-6 p.m. daily), as well as from 10 p.m. to midnight, prices drop on bar menu favorites like the golden, crispy frites — which come in five varieties, including foie gras-Szechuan pepper. A bowl of spicy moules frites falls from $12 to $8, oysters are $1.50 a pop. To drink there's a great selection of mostly French wines, plus top-notch spirits, original and classic cocktails, and craft beers on draft — including a rotating tap from Cascade Brewing. — DANIELLE CENTONI 
626 S.W. Park Ave., 503-236-3036; brasserieportland.com
Lunch, dinner, happy hour and late-night menu daily. Brunch on Saturday and Sunday.

urban_farmer_review.jpg

7) Urban Farmer
It's an upscale restaurant in an upscale hotel (The Nines), but that hotel is at the top of a department store (Macy's), so no one will look askance if you show up to this comfortable yet high-end steakhouse loaded down with shopping bags. Forget greasy mall food and take a break for real lunch here, where you'll find dishes like rich grits with a poached egg, spiced shrimp and pulled pork, or a divine cheese steak with shaved sirloin and gruyere fondue. After a day of shopping, or before (or even after) heading to a show, hit happy hour (3-6 p.m. and after 10 p.m.) for filling $4 and $5 dishes like tender beef sliders, Reubens, or mac-and-cheese with oil-cured tomatoes. Dinner is much pricier, as you'd expect from a steakhouse, with about a dozen choices of steaks in various breeds and styles — grass-fed, pasture-raised, grain-finished, corn-fed, dry-aged … you get the picture.  — Danielle Centoni
525 S.W. Morrison St. (on the eighth floor of The Nines hotel), 503-222-4900; urbanfarmerrestaurant.com
Breakfast, lunch and dinner Monday-Friday, brunch and dinner Saturday-Sunday. Daily happy hour from 3-6 p.m. and 10 p.m.-close.

 
Quick Pick-Me-Ups

8) Saint Cupcake Galore
Saint Cupcake's new location, just five blocks west of Pioneer Courthouse Square, is bright and light, furnished simply with red metal seats and reclaimed wooden bleachers. But it's hard to appreciate the decor when all you can see are rows of gleaming, brightly colored cupcakes just begging to be eaten. The moist and rich carrot cake, with just the right amount of savory spice and a hint of black pepper, topped with silky vanilla cream cheese frosting, is particularly hard to resist. But the patron saint of sweet doesn't just do cake. Cinnamon rolls, sticky buns, butterscotch- and chocolate-loaded cookies (including one made with smoked flour), and even savory snacks like brioche buns stuffed with mustard, ham and cheese, mean there are plenty of reasons to stop in and take a load off in the bakery/cafe. Add an espresso drink from locally roasted Water Avenue Coffee and you'll be properly fueled for any urban adventure. — JENNIFER COSSEY
1138 S.W. Morrison St., 503-473-8760; saintcupcake.com
8 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday.

9) Public Domain
Yes, there's a Starbucks smack dab in the middle of Pioneer Courthouse Square, but when your caffeine level begins to dip, it's well worth the one-block walk to Public Domain instead. The coffee shop is owned and operated by one of Portland's first roasters, Coffee Bean International, and it offers a serene, sleek place to get a good caffeinated kick in the pants. Like a brewery dedicated to its craft and the craft of its comrades, Public Domain usually has guest roasters "on tap," such as the city's own Oblique. But true coffee geeks will be happy to know they can specify the brewing method, too. In addition to the espresso machine and French press, there are four pour-over brewers to choose from: Hario V60, Chemex, Clever and Kone. For nibbling, there are beautiful pastries from Nuvrei Bakery. Try the wheatless oatmeal and raisin bar. Part oatmeal cookie, part lunch, it's soft and dense and easy to share with a buddy. Pull up a seat and decompress — there's free Wi-Fi and wall-to-wall/floor-to-ceiling windows to enjoy the scenery, lights and people of downtown. — JENNIFER COSSEY
603 S.W. Broadway, 503-243-6374; publicdomaincoffee.com
6 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday-Sunday

10) Cacao
Few things can make you more immediately alert — and happy — than a shot of thick, liquid chocolate. At Cacao you can get your 2.5-ounce or 7-ounce wake-up call in three gorgeous flavors: milk chocolate with cinnamon, dark chocolate and "Special Spicy" — dark chocolate with coconut milk, paprika, cayenne and ginger. Can't choose? No problem, you can get a flight of all three. For those in a slightly less decadent mood, there's Cacao's regular hot chocolate (still among the richest in town) using 65 percent cacao or 72 percent cacao — your choice — as well as espresso drinks made with Caffe Vita coffee. If a mocha is too much, try the macchiato, a shot of espresso cut with an equal amount of dark hot chocolate. Sit down and connect your laptop (at the 13th Avenue location only) or continue your holiday shopping. The store has the best artisan chocolate bars and confections that Portland, and much of the world, has to offer. Not sure what something tastes like? The staff can help you sample just about anything. Before you go, purchase a handful of the Bequet salted caramels at the counter. They make a great on-the-go pick me up — and stocking stuffer. — JENNIFER COSSEY
West End: 414 S.W. 13th Ave., 503-241-0656; cacaodrinkchocolate.com
10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday
At The Heathman:
712 S.W. Salmon St., 503-274-9510; cacaodrinkchocolate.com
9 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday

 

MIX Editor  

OregonLive.com